After Udinese scored twice to create a tense situation in Naples, Napoli had to work hard for their 3-2 victory over the visitors to maintain their Serie A lead.
Ilija Nestorovski and Lazar Samardzic both found the back of the net in the dying moments, but Victor Osimhen, Piotr Zielinski, and Elif Elmas’ goals were ultimately enough to secure the victory for Napoli.
With a 3-2 victory over Udinese, Napoli continued their outstanding start to the Serie A season by surviving a late scare. The visitors scored twice late to create a tense finish after the table-toppers built a three-goal lead and appeared to be winning easily.
The team led by Luciano Spalletti held on to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and now leads Milan and Lazio, who are vying for the league title, by six points with games against Leece and Salernitana, respectively, on Sunday.
On the 15th minute, Victor Osimhen scored the first goal for the home team, heading in Elif Elmas’ cross from the left wing for his ninth goal of the year. On the half hour, Piotr Zielinski doubled their advantage with an incredible right-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area.
Elmas tricked the Udinese defence after the break with some good footwork and a neat finish to add a remarkable third shortly before the hour mark, effectively ending the game as a contest.
But the visitors, who also had dreams of competing for a spot in Europe, put up a fight, and Ilija Nestorovski scored a goal for them on the 78th minute. With a half-volley from Isaac Success’ deft chest flick, the Macedonian forward put the finishing touches on an excellent move.
The deficit was further reduced by Lazar Samardzic’s excellent long-range effort with eight minutes remaining in the game after he took advantage of some shoddy defending. But Napoli held on to all 3 points and Serie A dominance until the new year, so that was the end of the scoring.
Udinese, who have lost seven straight games, remain in eighth place. They also suffered the loss of talisman Gerard Deulofeu, who was forced to leave the field with a knee injury midway through the first half.
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